Long-stay visas (Type D)
Belgian EU Long-Term Resident Status
Long-term residence status for non-EU nationals after five years of legal, uninterrupted residence in Belgium.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
- Issued by
- Municipality + federal Immigration Office
- Residence needed
- 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence in Belgium
- Decision time
- About 5 months
- Card issued
- L card (EU long-term resident)
- Excluded
- Students and certain temporary statuses cannot use this route
Who it's for
- Non-EU nationals with 5 years of continuous legal residence in Belgium
- People wanting a durable, purpose-independent residence status
- Not available to students or holders of certain temporary statuses
Requirements
- Legal and uninterrupted residence in Belgium for the 5 years before applying
- Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence
- Health insurance covering the risks in Belgium
- Valid residence/settlement permit and established identity
- No danger to public order or national security
What you can do
- Stay in Belgium indefinitely, independent of a specific work or study purpose
- Access the labour market without work-permit restrictions
- Move more easily to other EU member states under long-term resident rules
How to apply
The application is submitted to the municipal administration with the supporting documents. The municipality acknowledges it and forwards it to the Immigration Office, which assesses eligibility within roughly five months. If approved, the municipality issues the L card.
The status is lost if it is acquired in another EU member state, if the holder leaves the EU for 12 or more consecutive months, leaves Belgium for six years, or obtained it through fraud.
Documents
- Valid passport or copy proving identity
- Current residence/settlement permit
- Proof of 5 years' legal, uninterrupted residence
- Proof of stable and sufficient means of subsistence
- Proof of health insurance
Frequently asked questions
You must show legal and uninterrupted residence in Belgium during the five years immediately before your application, together with sufficient income, health insurance and no public-order concerns.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
Related Belgian visas
- WORKNON-EU WORKERSOVER 90 DAYSSingle Permit (combined work and residence permit)The combined work-and-residence document that any non-EU worker needs to be employed in Belgium for more than 90 days.View visa details
- WORKHIGHLY SKILLEDEU-WIDEEU Blue CardFor highly qualified non-EU professionals holding a recognised degree and earning a salary above the regional threshold.View visa details
- BUSINESSSELF-EMPLOYEDProfessional Card (self-employed)The authorisation a non-EU national needs to live in Belgium and work as a self-employed person or run a business.View visa details